Children’s Aid Society workers in Ottawa represented by the Ontario
Public Service Employees Union have overwhelmingly approved a new
four-year contract that features a 5.9 per cent wage increase over the
life of the deal but without agreeing to concessions.

“We are delighted by the fact our members have approved the new contract
by a near-unanimous margin and by the fact we were able to reach an
agreement without job action,” said Chrisy Tremblay. president of OPSEU
Local 454 representing more than 350 CAS workers at two locations in
Ottawa.

“We have bargained quality public services and guaranteed new permanent
positions instead of temporary ones,” added Tremblay. “This is
probably the best deal in the children’s aid sector in the last few
years found anywhere in Ontario.”

Management and staff reached a tentative agreement last week following
10 days of face-to-face bargaining. The new contract was approved last
week by members of Local 454. The previous agreement expired on Dec. 31,
2011.

Besides the 5.9 per cent wage increase over four years, other highlights
of the new contract included improvements to conditions of casual
employment, benefits and mileage allowance.

Local 454 achieved the provincial discussion table (PDT) keeping in line
the CAS sector standard.

“In this era of cutbacks and austerity the members of Local 454 and
their bargaining team deserve a hearty round of applause for negotiating
the terms and conditions of their new contract,” said OPSEU president
Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “They have demonstrated clearly that our members
needn’t give up concessions and that through tough bargaining we can
build strong contracts.”